Downtown drainage project nears finish as Ash Street reopens

FERNANDINA BEACH – The City of Fernandina Beach's Ash Street Drainage Improvement Project is nearing a major milestone, with construction between South Second and South Fourth streets now about 99% complete as crews shift their focus to the final phase of work closer to the downtown waterfront.

City officials said temporary asphalt has been installed and traffic has been restored between South Second and South Fourth streets. Only minor sidewalk and curb work remains before that section is finished.

Construction continues between South Second Street and Front Street, where crews are installing equipment for a new stormwater pump station and completing underground drainage improvements. That block will remain closed to traffic until the project is completed.

During construction, the city expanded the project's scope to replace a deteriorating stormwater pipe near The Patio restaurant after identifying the aging infrastructure. Officials said the additional work is intended to improve the long-term reliability of the downtown stormwater system and help prevent future failures.

Once the drainage improvements are complete, Ash Street will be milled and resurfaced from South Eighth Street to Front Street, providing a newly paved roadway along the entire corridor.

Although construction is concentrated in just a few downtown blocks, city officials noted the project has a much broader impact. The stormwater system being upgraded serves approximately 32 acres of the city, collecting runoff from as far west as Central Park before carrying it through downtown to the waterfront.

The improvements are designed to increase the system's capacity, reduce flooding during heavy rain events and provide more reliable stormwater drainage for downtown businesses, residents and motorists for years to come.